Science & Technology

The Federal Aviation Administration is out with new rules for small, remote piloted aircraft, known as drones. This comes just as hobbyists are expected to purchase hundreds of thousands of them during this holiday season.

The recent death of an American Airlines pilot on a flight from Phoenix to Boston made headlines. Medical emergencies on board commercial flights are rare, but when they occur, treatment can be a real challenge. A University of Virginia physician who, over the years, has been called to treat three patients on board commercial aircraft thought it might be helpful to write an article on the subject, and the New England Journal of Medicine agreed.

Many electric companies are replacing conventional home meters with smart devices that can be read, as well as turned on and off from a remote location. These devices can also tell customers how much power they’re using at different times of day, and since some companies charge higher rates during periods of peak demand, consumers can adjust their power use to save money. Dominion Virginia Power has a pilot program that charges customers less for power during times when demand is low. The firm e-mails prices the night before, but one consumer says Dominion needs to do more if it’s seriou

Electric companies across the state have been rolling out new technology, installing home meters that monitor consumer use and send that information, automatically, to the company. Smart meters also allow utilities to turn power on and off from a remote location. Utilities say these hi-tech meters will help consumers reduce their electric bills, but one elected official is skeptical, and she’s leading a crusade against the devices.

The anticipated surge in unmanned aerial vehicles-or UAVs-won't only be as a result of their popularity with hobbyists, but because of their use by emergency responders, power companies, and other industries.